Denver Broncos backup cornerback Tony Carter is facing heat for a joke he made on Twitter about the fatal Aurora, Colo. theater shootings. / Chris Humphreys, US Presswire

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

Usually the worst way for a seldom-used backup cornerback to introduce himself to his team's fanbase would be to fumble on special teams or get burned in dime package coverage.

Not so for the Denver Broncos' Tony Carter. The fourth-year pro decided Monday night that it would be a good idea to make a joke about the July 20 Aurora, Colo. theater shootings, tweeting "At a late night movie in Denver y'all pray for me!"

Perhaps sensing that his more than 6,000 followers might not find the humor in referring to a massive local tragedy where 12 innocent people were killed and 58 others were injured, many of them likely Broncos fans, Carter deleted the tweet shortly after, posting "No Disrespect!!!" He later deleted that tweet as well.

Given more time to reflect on the context of his tweet than the five seconds typing and sending it allotted him, it's likely Carter would have realized that there are certain things you just don't joke about publicly. Tuesday morning, whether due to a call from the Broncos PR staff or some genuine reflection, he issued an apology.

"I am truly sorry for the insensitive and inappropriate comment I made last night. It will never happen again," Carter tweeted.

The former Florida State player has three tackles in five games this season.